Interoperability
between equipment using the ITU-T Recommendation G.984 for passive optical
network (G-PON) has been demonstrated at an independent test laboratory, KTL in
Santa Clara, California.

PON
technology is used in the local loop to connect residential and SME end users
premises in an all-fibre network. The event organized by the Full Service
Access Network (FSAN) Group demonstrated service level interoperability between
several vendors.

ITU-T
Recommendation G.984 enables line rates of 2.5 Gbps in the downstream (central
office to customer) and 1.2 Gbps in the upstream (customer to central office)
to handle the bandwidth requirements for services like HD IPTV, online-gaming,
Ethernet services, VoIP and TDM over fibre. In addition it offers more
efficient IP and Ethernet handling.

FSAN
together with ITU have hosted a series of B-PON and G-PON interoperability
events over the years. The recent event, involved voice, data and
IPTV testing between the following system vendors: Calix, Cambridge Industries
Group, Entrisphere, Fujitsu, Hitachi, Huawei, Iamba Networks, Mitsubishi
Electric, NEC, Siemens, Terawave. Shenick provided IPTV and data testing with
quality of experience (QoE) and performance assessment. Spirent provided its
triple play test solution to verify voice, video, and data service performance
and functionality with 'real world' scenarios. Corning provided the complete optical
distribution network (ODN) for the event, including the optical fibre, cable,
splitters, cabinet, terminal distribution system, and connectorized drop
cables.

The
multi-vendor G-PON systems were used to transport voice, data and IPTV between
the optical networking terminals (ONTs) and the optical line terminals (OLTs).
Service provisioning of triple-play services was done via the ONT management
and control interface (OMCI). Detailed test cases where used to verify quality
and performance of services in a multi-vendor environment.

"We
are very pleased with the achievement of VoIP and IPTV as well as other
services working across a mix of vendor equipment," said Michael
Brusca, Verizon Communications, Chair FSAN Interoperability Task Group.
"We have overcome the challenge of OMCI interoperability that built on our
previous physical layer testing, within a year after specifying its
enhancements. G-PON is now mature and ready for mass deployment."

Don
Clarke, 21CN chief access designer for BT Wholesale: "We are actively
supporting FSAN and the ITU-T in their endeavor to achieve interoperability for
GPON equipment. Interoperability will help drive down costs and leverage
innovation in the customer termination space."

A public
G-PON Interop Showcase is planned for ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006 this December in Hong Kong.

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